The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) issued a statement regarding the announcement on Thursday, Sept. 19 that Freehold Raceway would cease operations at the end of the year.

That statement is as follows:

To the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey's dismay, Freehold Raceway has announced that it will cease all live racing and simulcast operations on December 28, 2024.

The SBOANJ has been working extensively with Freehold Raceway's general management for the last few years to rectify the establishment's existing conditions, unfortunately to no avail. We will continue to work with Freehold and the New Jersey Racing Commission as advocates to the horsemen/women on all closure issues. 

The New Jersey Sire Stakes board of trustees has assured us that the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund program will continue to exist in 2025. Sire Stakes board of trustee Nancy Grbelja stated, "We do not want horsemen to feel discouraged or that they have nowhere to go. We will continue working with the SBOANJ to find a place to race the SDF program, whether that be Freehold Raceway or an alternative location."

The New Jersey Racing Commission has requested SBOANJ President Mark Ford and Executive Administrator Al Ochsner to attend a meeting next week to discuss the situation further. The SBOANJ board of directors is dedicated to preserving  the opportunity for racing at all levels in the State of New Jersey. The board, as always, will continue to do whatever possible to protect and benefit our membership.

(SBOANJ)